Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2014-09-18T14:41:50Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Oscar Alexander Ramirez Cespedes.pdf: 2846357 bytes, checksum: 734d0022f388a5e80f1343acade03c64 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-09-18T15:36:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Oscar Alexander Ramirez Cespedes.pdf: 2846357 bytes, checksum: 734d0022f388a5e80f1343acade03c64 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-18T15:36:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao Oscar Alexander Ramirez Cespedes.pdf: 2846357 bytes, checksum: 734d0022f388a5e80f1343acade03c64 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-22 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Consider a nonsmooth vector fields in R3 defined by parts on a smooth manifold of dimension one, such that it is tangent to both sides simultaneously, in fold points, visibles or invisibles. In this paper we study a local dynamics of the singularity type two-fold invisible-invisible known as Teixeira singularity, revealing new scenes of bifurcations and the nonlinear effects around the bifurcation already known, determining conditions for the existence of invariant sets (limit cycles) and the possible existence of a set with a nondeterministic chaos. Furthermore, we discuss the occurrence of this singularity in switched feedback control systems and some numerical simulations are presented. / Quando um campo vetorial não suave é definido por partes, sobre uma variedade regular de codimensão um, esse pode ser simultaneamente tangente a ambos os lados, em pontos de dobra, visíveis ou invisíveis. Neste trabalho é estudada a dinâmica local da singularidade; tipo dobra-dobra invisível-invisível conhecida como Singularidade Teixeira, revelando novos cenários de bifurcações e os efeitos não lineares em torno da bifurcação já conhecida, determinando condições para a existência de conjuntos invariantes (ciclos limite), e a possível existência de um conjunto com uma forma não-determinística do caos. Além disso, discute-se a ocorrência de tal singularidade em sistemas de controle com retroalimentação comutante. Algumas simulações numéricas são apresentadas.

O conteúdo deste trabalho trata da formulação para solução do problema de otimização estrutural com minimização de massa em estruturas unifilares, sujeitas a restrição de tensão, flambagem das barras isoladas e fadiga. São considerados três casos de otimização: paramétrica, de forma e dimensional. Os problemas de singularidades nas restrições de tensão e flambagem são evitados através de uma formulação que faz uso de programação inteira para solução do problema. Outra singularidade encontrada na otimização topológica é a singularidade na matriz de rigidez da estrutura. Este problema foi evitado através de uma formulação que considera a existência de matriz de rigidez regular como restrição do problema. O método de solução utilizado para resolver problema de otimização é o método dos algoritmos genéticos. As restrições do problema são impostas através da penalização da função objetivo. O método de solução mostrou-se adequado para solução dos problemas estudados. A formulação implementada é validada através da solução de problemas clássicos de otimização estrutural. Os resultados obtidos são comparados com a literatura onde verificou-se a coerência dos mesmos. Após realizar a validação, a formulação é utilizada em um estudo que tem como base uma estrutura real: uma torre de queima de gases (flare) oriundos do processo de extração e armazenagem de petróleo em uma unidade flutuante. Para o problema da torre as restrições foram determinadas com base em critérios de falha estabelecido na norma DNV. A otimização do flare permitiu minimizar a massa da estrutura sem que os critérios de falha fossem violados. Verificou-se que a metodologia proposta é adequada para solução com grande número de restrições e com diversos casos de carregamento. / The purpose of this work is the development of a methodology to solve the structural optimization problem of frame structures subject to stress, buckling of isolated members, and fatigue constraints. Three types of structural optimization problems are considered: sizing, shape and topological. The stress and buckling singularity problems are avoided by an integer design variable formulation, using integer programing to obtain the optimization problem solution. Another issue found in optimization problems is the stiffness matrix singularity. The proposed formulations include the linear system stability as a constraint in the optimization problem. A genetic algorithm is used to solve the general optimization problem. All constraints of the problem are included with a penalization equation. The results show that genetic algorithm is a good approach to solve the proposed formulation. The proposed formulation is tested for solving classical optimization problems. The obtained results are consistent with the literature. A real engineering problem is solved with proposed methodology: a gas burning tower (flare). In this problem, all constraints are based on failure criteria recommended by DNV standards. The structural optimization of this problem shows that structural mass minimization is possible without violating the failure criteria. It is observed that solution methodology deals successfully with problems with multiple constraints and load cases

Neste trabalho estudamos a topologia local, trivialidade topolóogica e as singularidades de superfícies regradas em \'R POT.3\'. O objetivo do trabalho é comparar as singularidades que ocorrem no conjunto das superfícies regradas com as singularidades de germes de aplicações de \'R POT.2\' em \'R POT.3\', fazer a classificação topológica local e estudar a trivialidade topológica de famílias de superfícies regradas. Finalmente, discutimos possíveis generalizações de superfícies regradas para altas dimensões / We study the local topology, topological triviality and singularities of ruled surfaces in \'R POT.3\'. In this work we compare the singularities of germs from \'R POT.2\' to \'R POT.3\' with the singularities appearing in the set of ruled surfaces, doing a local topology classification of the ruled surface and study the topological triviality of families of ruled surfaces. Finally we will try to give possible generalizations of ruled surfaces for higher dimensions.

The Landau-Ginzburg (LG) B-Model is a significant feature of singularity theory and mirror symmetry. Krawitz in 2010, guided by work of Kaufmann, provided an explicit construction for the LG B-model when using diagonal symmetries of a quasihomogeneous, nondegenerate polynomial. In this thesis we discuss aspects of how to generalize the LG B-model construction to allow for nondiagonal symmetries of a polynomial, and hence nonabelian symmetry groups. The construction is generalized to the level of graded vector space and the multiplication developed up to an unknown factor. We present complete examples of nonabelian LG B-models for the polynomials x^2y + y^3, x^3y + y^4, and x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + w^2.

O presente trabalho pretende apresentar uma abordagem sobre os estigmas e os processos de exclusão de crianças na escola pública a partir da compreensão de um conflito entre o ideal normalizador e as expressões de múltiplas formas de ser no cotidiano escolar. A partir da perspectiva etnográfica das relações entre crianças e adultos no ambiente escolar, essa pesquisa propõe que a recusa aos processos de normalização defende formas singulares de vivenciar a experiencia escolar. O centro do conflito se apresenta quando as singularidades são lidas pelos adultos da escola enquanto desvio, indisciplina ou alguma característica negativa da criança, o que leva à formulação de estratégias que buscam conter e apagar do contexto o que é interpretado como desvio. A estigmatização e a rotulação de meninos e meninas enquanto inadequados a um ideal de escola harmônico e homogêneo leva ao uso de estratégias que, ancoradas em preconceitos e valores sócio históricos e culturais dos adultos buscam na violência simbólica formas de deslegitimar e excluir as singularidades do cotidiano escolar. O objetivo desta pesquisa é, portanto, desnaturalizar tais formas de violência que buscam o apagamento de expressões singulares e diversas do cotidiano escolar. Trata-se, sobretudo, de defender a escola enquanto o espaço das diferenças e das possibilidades de ser em substituição a uma forma disciplinar e normalizadora que, para além da escola enquanto instituição se faz presente nas práticas cotidianas. / The present work intends to present an approach on the stigmas and the processes of exclusion of children in the public school from the understanding of a conflict between the normalizing ideal and the expressions of multiple forms of being in the school routine. From the ethnographic perspective of the relationships between children and adults in the school environment, this research proposes that the refusal to normalization processes defends unique ways of experiencing the school experience. The center of the conflict presents itself when the singularities are read by the adults of the school as a deviation, indiscipline or some negative characteristic of the child, which leads to the formulation of strategies that seek to contain and erase from the context what is interpreted as a deviation. The stigmatization and labeling of boys and girls while inadequate to a harmonious and homogeneous school ideal leads to the use of strategies that, anchored in prejudices and socio-historical and cultural values of adults, seek in symbolic violence ways to delegitimize and exclude the singularities of daily life school. The aim of this research is, therefore, to denaturalize such forms of violence that seek to erase singular and diverse expressions of everyday school life. It is above all to defend the school as the space of differences and possibilities to be in place of a disciplinary and normalizing form that, in addition to school as an institution, is present in daily practices.

This research set out to develop a novel technique to decompose Electroencephalograph (EEG) signal into sets of constituent peaks in order to better describe the underlying nature of these signals. It began with the question; can a localised, single stimulation of sensory nervous tissue in the body be detected in the brain? Flash Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) tests were carried out on 3 participants by presenting a flash and recording the response in the occipital region of the cortex. By focussing on analysis techniques that retain a perspective across different domains � temporal (time), spectral (frequency/scale) and epoch (multiple events) � useful information was detected across multiple domains, which is not possible in single domain transform techniques. A comprehensive set of algorithms to decompose evoked potential data into sets of peaks was developed and tested using wavelet transform singularity detection methods. The set of extracted peaks then forms the basis for a subsequent clustering analysis which identifies sets of localised peaks that contribute the most towards the standard evoked response. The technique is quite novel as no closely similar work in research has been identified. New and valuable insights into the nature of an evoked potential signal have been identified. Although the number of stimuli required to calculate an Evoked Potential response has not been reduced, the amount of data contributing to this response has been effectively reduced by 75%. Therefore better examination of a small subset of the evoked potential data is possible. Furthermore, the response has been meaningfully decomposed into a small number (circa 20) of constituent peaksets that are defined in terms of the peak shape (time location, peak width and peak height) and number of peaks within the peak set. The question of why some evoked potential components appear more strongly than others is probed by this technique. Delineation between individual peak sizes and how often they occur is for the first time possible and this representation helps to provide an understanding of how particular evoked potentials components are made up. A major advantage of this techniques is the there are no pre-conditions, constraints or limitations. These techniques are highly relevant to all evoked potential modalities and other brain signal response applications � such as in brain-computer interface applications. Overall, a novel evoked potential technique has been described and tested. The results provide new insights into the nature of evoked potential peaks with potential application across various evoked potential modalities.

This thesis summarizes a study of higher-dimensional distorted objects such as a distorted 5-dimensional Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black hole. It considers a particular type of distortion corresponding to an external, static distribution of matter and fields around this object. The corresponding spacetime can be presented in the generalized Weyl form which has an RxU(1)xU(1) group of isometries. This is a natural generalization of the 4-dimensional Weyl form which was presented in the paper by Emparan and Reall [1]. In the frame of this generalized Weyl form one can derive an exact analytic solution to the Einstein equations which describes the non-linear interaction of the black hole with external matter and gravitational fields. This research focuses on the effects of such interaction on the event horizon and the interior of the black hole. A similar study was presented in the papers [2] for 4-dimensional neutral black holes, where special duality relations between a neutral black hole horizon and singularity were derived. In relation to this work it is interesting to study which properties of distorted black holes remain present in the 5-dimensional case. This thesis also gives an investigation of the d-dimensional Fisher solution which represents a static, spherically symmetric, asymptotically flat spacetime with a massless scalar field. This solution has a naked singularity. It is shown that the d-dimensional Schwarzschild-Tangherlini solution and the Fisher solution are dual to each other. [1] R. Emparan and H. S. Reall, Phys. Rev. D, 65, 084025 (2002). [2] V. P. Frolov and A. A. Shoom, Phys. Rev. D, 76, 064037 (2007).

Recent studies of the transition metal dichalcogenide niobium diselenide have led to debate in the scientific community regarding the mechanism of the charge density wave (CDW) instability in this material. Moreover, whether or not CDW boosts or competes with superconductivity (SC) is still unknown, as there are experimental measurements which supports both scenarios. Motivated by these measurements we study the interplay of charge density modulations and superconductivity in the context of the Bogoliubov de-Gennes (BdG) equations formulated on a tight-binding lattice. As the BdG equations require large numerical demand, software which utilizes parallel algorithms have been developed to solve these equations directly and numerically. Calculations were performed on a large-scale Beowulf-class PC cluster at the University of Saskatchewan.<p> We first study the effects of inhomogeneity on nanoscale superconductors due to the presence of surfaces or a single impurity deposited in the sample. It is illustrated that CDW can coexist with SC in a finite-size s-wave superconductor. Our calculations show that a weak impurity potential can lead to significant suppression of the superconducting order parameter, more so than a strong impurity. In particular, in a nanoscale d-wave superconductor with strong electron-phonon coupling, the scattering by a weakly attractive impurity can nearly kill superconductivity over the entire sample.<p> Calculations for periodic systems also show that CDW can coexist with s-wave superconductivity. In order to identify the cause of the CDW instability, the BdG equations have been generalized to include the next-nearest neighbour hopping integral. It is shown that the CDW state is strongly affected by the magnitude of the next-nearest neighbour hopping, while superconductivity is not. The difference between the CDW and SC states is a result of the anomalous, or off-diagonal, coupling between particle and hole components of quasiparticle excitations. The Fermi surface is changed as next-nearest neighbour hopping is varied; in particular, the perfect nesting and coincidence of the nesting vectors and the vectors connecting van Hove singularities (vHs) for zero next-nearest neighbor hopping is destroyed, and vHs move away from the Fermi energy. It is found that within our one-band tight-binding model with isotropic s-wave superconductivity, CDW and SC can coexist only for vanishing nearest neighbor hopping and for non-zero hopping, the homogeneous SC state always has the lowest ground-state energy. Furthermore, we find in our model that as the magnitude of the next-nearest neighbor hopping parameter increases, the main cause of the divergence in the dielectric response accompanying the CDW transition changes from nesting to the vHs mechanism proposed by Rice and Scott. It is still an open question as to the origin of CDW and its interplay with SC in multiple-band, anisotropic superconductors such as niobium diselenide, for which fundamental theory is lacking. The work presented in this thesis demonstrates the possible coexistence of charge density waves and superconductivity, and provides insight into the mechanism of electronic instability causing charge density waves.

The scalar tensor theory of gravitation is constructed in D dimensions in all possible geometries of spacetime. In Riemannian geometry, theory of gravitation involves a spacetime metric g with a torsion-free, metric compatible connection structure. If the geometry is non-Riemannian, then the gauge theory of gravitation can be constructed with a spacetime metric g and a connection structure with torsion. In non-Riemannian theory, connections may be metric compatible or non-metric compatible. It is shown that theory of gravitation which involves non-metric compatible connection and torsion, can be rewritten in terms of torsion-free theory. It is also shown that scalar tensor theory can be reformulated in Einstein frame by applying a conformal transformation. By adding an antisymmetric axion field, the axi-dilaton theory is studied in Riemannian and non-Riemannian geometries. Motion of massive test particles is examined in all these geometries. The static, spherically symmetric and stationary, Kerr-type axially symmetric solutions of the scalar tensor and axi-dilaton theories are presented. As an application, the geodesic elliptical orbits based on a torsion-free connection and the autoparallel orbits based on a connection with a torsion, are examined in Kerr Brans-Dicke geometry. Perihelion shift of the elliptical orbit is calculated in both cases and the results are compared.

This study develops a discrete search-based optimization method for path planning in a highly nonlinear dynamical system. The method enables real-time trajectory improvement and singular configuration avoidance in satellite rotation using Control Moment Gyroscopes. By streamlining a legacy optimization method and combining it with a local singularity management scheme, this optimization method reduces the computational burden and advances the capability of satellites to make autonomous look-ahead decisions in real-time. Current optimization methods plan offline before uploading to the satellite and experience high sensitivity to disturbances. Local methods confer autonomy to the satellite but use only blind decision-making to avoid singularities. This thesis' method seeks near-optimal trajectories which balance between the optimal trajectories found using computationally intensive offline solvers and the minimal computational burden of non-optimal local solvers. The new method enables autonomous guidance capability for satellites using discretization and stage division to minimize the computational burden of real-time optimization.